Exam Information

For most civil service job seekers, examinations are part of the process. Examination results make it easier for the employer to make a decision on who gets an interview or who gets a job. We've broken out information on examinations into 3 sections.

Applications and Fees

Guidelines for Completing Applications for Examination or Employment

Complete a separate application for each position or series for which you are applying.

To save time, complete one application in its entirety, leaving the title line and the signature line blank. Make as many photo copies of the application as you need, and then complete the title line and sign each application. THERE MUST BE AN ORIGINAL SIGNATURE AND CURRENT DATE on each application.

A filing fee of $15.00 must be included for each scheduled examination. Certain Police and/or Deputy Sheriff's exams require a $25.00 fee . Please include examination number and title on each check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH. No refunds will be issued, therefore, review the minimum qualifications indicated on the examination announcement very carefully.

About the Exams

Open Competitive Examinations

Some examinations are "open competitive" which means that any person meeting all the minimum requirements may apply to take the examination.

Promotion Examinations

Other examinations are "promotional" which means that only those employees already in permanent competitive positions in civil service in certain agencies, who meet the minimum requirements, may apply to take the examination. Promotion may be limited to certain department, divisions or offices. On Promotion Examinations, seniority credits are added to candidate's passing test scores according to the employee's years of permanent competitive service status . Promotion by non-competitive examination is possible whenever there are no more than three persons eligible to compete in a promotion examination for a vacant competitive class position. The appointing authority may nominate one of these eligible persons to take the Promotion Examination without competition, subject to the approval of the Civil Service Department.

Continuous Recruitment Examinations

We continuously accept applications for many clerical, custodial and Community Health Nurse positions. Examinations are generally held twice a year. Names of eligibles are interfiled according to grade and remain on eligible lists for one year.

Taking the Exams

Admission to Examination

Do not interpret a notice to appear for, or actual participation in the examination to mean that you have been found to meet fully the announced requirements.

Depending on the time available before an examination, applicants may be admitted to the examination on the basis of statements made on the application or conditionally, without prior review of the application. Such statements may not be reviewed and/or verified until after the examination is held. At that time, those candidates not meeting the requirements are disqualified. Candidates who are subsequently disqualified after taking the test will NOT be notified of their score.

Call the Cattaraugus County Human Resources office immediately if you do not receive a notice within four days prior to the date of the examination informing you whether or not you are to be admitted to the examination.

Change of Address

Notify this office immediately of any change of address, in writing.

Alternate Test Dates

May be arranged upon review of circumstances according to the Alternate Test Date Policy established by the Civil Service Commission.

If special arrangements for testing are required, indicate this on your application form.

Multiple Examinations

If you have applied for any other Civil Service examinations for employment with New York State or any other local government jurisdiction, you must make arrangements to take all the examinations at one test site no later than two weeks before the test date. Call (716) 938-9111, ext. 2281 for further information regarding multiple examinations on the same date.

Veterans

Disabled and non-disabled war veterans who are eligible for additional creditsmust submit an application for veterans credits. Candidates who wish to claim veterans credits on an examination should request an application and information sheet from the Cattaraugus County Human Resources Department. Veterans' application forms will also be available upon request at the examination center. The completed and notarized forms must be received in the office as soon as possible after the examination date or before the eligible list for this examination is established.